By Dora Antoniou

Mobility in the direction of settlement of geopolitical outstandings in the wider region, especially with regard to the definition marine zones specifies the report of the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, yesterday in the Parliament on the intention of Athens to call a joint meeting of all the coastal countries of the region. As the prime minister said, the challenges in the current situation for the Eastern Mediterranean countries are many.

And he added:

“Challenges on many levels, as I said, from maritime zones to immigration, environmental burden to illegal fishing, are issues on which International Law itself requires the cooperation of all coastal states.

In such an environment, Greecepursues consultation with all neighbors – I repeat, with all our neighbors -, having legality as a compass and especially the Law of the Sea. And it is our intention in the next period to invite all the coastal states to a joint meeting, to a forum, where we can examine together everything that concerns us. Greece has absolutely nothing to fear from sitting at the table with anyone, defending its positions, always with the Law of the Sea as a point of reference.”

The prime minister may have referred to a number of challenges, but attention is drawn to the reference to marine zones. The absence of defining maritime zones is a permanent point of friction and confrontation between the states of the region, while at the same time it is an obstacle to the exploitation of energy deposits. In that sense, it is a given the interest of the American factor to resolve disputes, as mainly American energy giants have expressed interest in participating in exploration for energy deposits.

The expected arrival in the next few days of the new American ambassador, Kimberly Guilfoylein Athens certainly influences the developments in this field, as it will carry in its baggage the Washington doctrine of removal of obstacles that hinder economic activityparticularly in the economic activity of American companies. It remains to be seen how this doctrine will be adapted to each of us and what are the specific issues on which Ms. Guilfoyle will focus her energy and priorities.

Also, an interesting point in Mr. Mitsotakis’ report is that he repeated the phrase “with all our neighbors”a statement that apparently includes the Turkey. Of course, for all the countries of the region to be at the same table and discuss these issues requires the removal of important obstacles, mainly regarding their view of the geopolitical facts and their claims.

The specific statement of Mr. Mitsotakis yesterday, opens the public debate on the prospect of activating such a process and prepares public opinion for evolution. At the same time, the government seeks to appear as having the initiative in the developments and that it is not dragged into a process imposed by third parties.